The future of information research

This chapter is unusual in that it departs somewhat from the pattern of authorship and content in the rest of this book. The editors begin the chapter with a re-examination of some of the key themes of the book, for example, the focus on methodology as the entire framework or design of research: the choice of paradigm, methods and tools o rtechniques to explore research questions and to create new knowledge. The necessity for rigour in every stage of research is emphasised. Having stated reservations about efforts to gaze into a crystal ball, to predict a specific future for information research, the editors then draw on their own knowledge, as well as that of other expert researchers, specialists in specific areas, to help to identify future paradigms, research methods and data collection tools; the effects of big data; the role of cultural differences in future research; and the delicate (buy essential) balance of keeping research relevant to professional practice, and vice versa. The main points of the chapter are illustrated with up-to-date examples, including an account of a fascinating PhD thesis which combines a postmodern paradigm, second generation (constructivist) grounded theory, and innovative data collection techniques.